Observations from Charlie Brown Jr., Sixers in loss to Nets in Vegas

The Philadelphia 76ers continued their summer league season on Sunday afternoon when they took on the Brooklyn Nets in Las Vegas. After a fourth-quarter collapse on Saturday, the Sixers had a better effort 24 hours later in Vegas.

The Sixers and the Nets went back-and-forth all afternoon before Brooklyn could pull away and come up with a 91-84 victory. Charlie Brown Jr. had a solid day off the bench with 14 points and four steals as the Sixers made just enough plays in this one.

Cassius Winston led Philadelphia with 16 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, Charles Bassey had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Jaden Springer added nine and three steals. Trevelin Queen added nine and Malik Ellison had eight and five boards. Isaiah Joe left with right shoulder soreness and had three points in 8:08.

Here are the observations in the win:

Charlie Brown Jr.

There is a lot to like about Brown Jr.’s game. At this moment, he is an NBA defender and he bothered Brooklyn summer star Cam Thomas all day long. To Thomas’ credit, he was able to get his offense going, but Brown Jr. really bothered him as a lot of Thomas’s offense came from the free-throw line. Brown Jr. also was able to finish well at the basket while also knocking down some triples. He was very solid on Sunday.

Jaden Springer

The second-year product out of Tennessee showed off his defensive instincts in this one. He always seemed to be in the right spot and he bothered the Nets out on the perimeter and he has continued to show off an improved finish around the rim. He has some elite athleticism and the way he can contort his body is impressive. The only knock continues to be his jump shot, but the willingness is there and that is a big development.

Charles Bassey

Bassey really has some good basketball instincts. His game is better suited for a half-court style, but he understands when to roll off the screen and he is one helluva defender. There were a few times he was able to get into the post and make a move and it shows off his improved footwork. He also is a presence on the glass.

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Cassius Winston

There is a lot to like about Winston’s game. A smooth player who played all four years at Michigan State and has NBA experience with the Washington Wizards, Winston just knows what to do with the ball in his hands. He is excellent as a playmaker and he keeps everybody under control. He is just a fundamentally sound player who should be able to carve out a spot on an NBA roster.

Trevelin Queen

Give Queen credit, the guy isn’t afraid of taking shots even when he has missed a few. Again, not an efficient day for him so that will have to change at some point, but the audacity he has can be a good thing. He drilled a triple over three defenders in the second half and he also knocked down another big triple under duress when the Sixers needed it. That type of shot-making will be very useful in his career.

Filip Petrusev

Petrusev, a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, spent the 2021-22 season in Europe and he is now with the Sixers in the summer league looking to make a dent in the NBA. He looked a little overmatched on Sunday and he seemed to fall in love with showing off his range as he settled for a couple of triples. He did get a few steals on the defensive end, however.

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